Arsenic in Houston, TX Drinking Water
Arsenic data for Houston, Texas · 3,206,570 residents · 97 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of Arsenic in Houston, Texas: Arsenic carries a high health-risk designation.
Federal water monitoring extends to thousands of public water systems, and in Houston, Texas, that tracking has turned up Arsenic - the detection is logged in the EPA compliance record and reflects samples collected under routine Safe Drinking Water Act reporting requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO
Arsenic in Houston Tap Water
Houston, Texas has 1 EPA violation related to arsenic in drinking water.
This analysis covers 3,206,570 residents across 97 ZIP codes in Houston.
Is Arsenic in Houston Water Safe?
If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis filter certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 and testing your water independently.
EPA Violations for Arsenic in Houston
| Date | Violation Type | Status | ZIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | Arsenic (Known) | Known | 77088 |
Health Effects of Arsenic
- Increased risk of skin, bladder, lung, and kidney cancer
- Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
- Skin changes (darkening, thickening, lesions)
- Developmental effects in children exposed in utero
Health risk severity: High. Governed by the Arsenic Rule (2006).
How Arsenic Gets Into Drinking Water
- Natural deposits in rock and soil (especially in western U.S.)
- Runoff from orchards and glass/electronics production
- Historical use of arsenic-based pesticides
- Well water in areas with arsenic-rich geology
What to Do About Arsenic in Houston Water
- Install a reverse osmosis (RO) system certified under NSF 58
- Adsorptive media filters (iron-based) can also reduce arsenic
- Have well water tested if on a private supply
- Boiling water does NOT remove arsenic — it concentrates it
Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 for arsenic removal.